High intensity pulsed light (HILP) technology is effective in decontaminating the surface of both meat and food contact materials in packaged chicken, new research has claimed.
A team from University College Dublin (UCD) found that High intensity pulsed light (HILP) was able to significantly reduce counts of foodborne bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella Enteritidis and E.coli on both chicken and commonly used packaging.
The technology uses broad spectrum releases high-intensity light in intermittent short pulses to reduce or eliminate pathogens.
The study – Efficacy of High Pulsed Light for Microbial Decontamination of Chicken, Associated Packaging and Contact Surfaces – said exposing both packing and the meat to HILP at 3Hz and a maximum of 505J/pulse resulted in a reduction in the microbial count.
The study highlights campylobacter as the major global cause of gastroenteritis and pinpoints cross contamination from external packaging as key. Last year, the Food Safety Authority Ireland (FSAI) urged retailers to source poultry in leak-proof packaging after Campylobacter was discovered on the external surface of around one in seven packs.
The UCD scientists said risk assessment studies had shown that the most effective way to tackle Campylobacter was to aim at reducing concentration of the bacteria rather than cutting their prevalence on poultry carcasses and products.
“Sequential reduction in the numbers of Campylobacter coming through the food chain at pertinent stages can result in an overall decrease in the prevalence of foodborne illnesses associated with that organism,” said the study.
To read more on the results of this project click here or check out the published study (see reference below).
Efficacy of High intensity pulsed light for the microbiological decontamination of chicken, associated packaging, and contact surfaces. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease by Pippa N. Haughton, James G. Lyng, Desmond J. Morgan, Denis A. Cronin, Seamus Fanning, Paul Whyte
doi/abs/10.1089/fpd.2010.0640
SOURCE: by Rory Harrington at: FoodProductionDaily.com
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